Qatar – Florida-based Space Economic Forum LLC (SEF International) and His Excellency Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly, a Qatar-based industrialist and prominent international businessman, are pleased to announce an agreement to establish Space Economic Forum Qatar, a new venture that will develop an annual international forum in Doha alongside a year-round program of events, strategic working groups, institutional engagement, and commercial partnership development.

Inspired in part by the World Economic Forum’s international convening model, SEF is structured to fulfill a comparable role for the emerging Earth–Moon economy, bringing together government, industry, institutions, investment, science, and education to help shape its development. This economy encompasses today’s growing space industry and its expanding connections with terrestrial markets, as well as the orbital infrastructure, lunar activities, and industrial networks that will extend economic activity across the Earth–Moon system.

SEF Qatar aims to serve as a bridge for cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the wider Middle East, and international space, aerospace, and technology industries. By connecting regional strengths in energy, aviation, logistics, finance, and research with global expertise, the platform will create opportunities to explore joint ventures, technology partnerships, and shared infrastructure development. Its regional ambition is to strengthen complementary capabilities across borders, helping businesses and institutions participate in the emerging Earth–Moon economy while supporting economic diversification, skilled employment, and the development of internationally competitive industries.

The inaugural Doha forum is targeted for the beginning of September 2027. SEF Qatar aims to position Doha as a global convening hub for the emerging multitrillion-dollar Earth–Moon economy, bringing together the expertise, capital, technologies, and institutions needed to advance the next industrial revolution.

Upon official formation, His Excellency will serve as Founding Chairman, with SEF International Founder Neal S. Lachman serving as Founding Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. N.S. Lachman & Co. LLC will lead organization and international programming as SEF International’s institutional manager. An international team of more than 60 professionals has contributed to the platform’s development since July 2025.

The agreement gives His Excellency exclusive rights, exercisable through SEF Qatar, to establish and develop the SEF platform in Qatar. Its scope includes the annual international forum in Doha and the associated international year-round program. Additional events across the GCC and worldwide may follow through separately agreed arrangements.

Qatar’s capabilities in energy, aviation, logistics, finance, education, and international engagement provide a foundation for cooperation with global space and technology businesses. SEF Qatar will help participants explore industrial partnerships, regional operations, research collaboration, supplier development, and prospective investment relationships. These connections can support Qatar’s economic diversification while opening commercial opportunities for international participants.

The platform spans five thematic tracks and five integrated program layers, supported by 17 strategic participation groups. Its agenda connects workforce development and human resilience with artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, commercial activity in low Earth orbit, spaceports, Cis-Lunar transportation, and sustainable development across the Earth–Moon system.

Year-round engagement will give organizations settings to develop proposals and sustain cooperation between annual gatherings. Planned initiatives also include an Analog Astronaut Training Camp and an Astrobotany and Food Security Research Laboratory near Doha, connecting exploration with education, applied research, and challenges relevant to life on Earth.

SEF Qatar invites aerospace companies, technology businesses, investors, universities, public institutions, and prospective strategic partners to engage early. Participants will be able to contribute expertise, identify complementary capabilities, and pursue relationships around the infrastructure and markets of the emerging economy. The platform’s organizing priorities are standards, markets, infrastructure, capital, and alliances, with continuing work intended to help promising discussions develop into substantive cooperation.

“The establishment of the Space Economic Forum in Qatar and its international year-round program reflects our belief that the future of space must be built on the highest principles of humanity, including ethics, fairness, equality, mutual respect, and friendship among nations. As we advance technology and innovation, we must remain guided by our beliefs, respect the beliefs of others, uphold our principles of life, and share responsibility to ensure that the benefits of space exploration and the emerging Earth-Moon economy serve all nations and their people. True progress is measured not by technological achievement alone, but also by the well-being, dignity, and opportunities we create for humanity, the consideration and respect we extend to one another, and the legacy of knowledge, cooperation, and prosperity we leave for the next generation. Through the Space Economic Forum, we aspire to advance a culture of trust, compassion, and collaboration among nations, ensuring that the power of innovation and technology is matched by the mercy, wisdom, and humanity with which we use it.”

— His Excellency Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly, Chairman, Space Economic Forum Qatar

“On behalf of the team, I thank His Excellency Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly for his trust, vision, and commitment to establishing Space Economic Forum Qatar. Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to help Qatar and the wider GCC region build lasting capabilities in the industries that will define the next industrial revolution. For people across the region, this means opening pathways to skilled careers, entrepreneurship, research, and participation in the emerging multitrillion-dollar Earth–Moon economy. We structured SEF Qatar to be a catalyst for a thriving regional space and aerospace ecosystem, connecting international expertise and capital with local talent, industrial ambition, and commercial opportunity. By creating a bridge for cooperation and joint development among GCC countries and global partners, we can help lay the foundations for substantial space and aerospace industry growth, with benefits extending across education, energy, manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. Our ambition is to help turn this historic opportunity into enduring prosperity for Qatar, its neighbors, and future generations.”

— Neal S. Lachman, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Space Economic Forum Qatar